James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the finding by the Commission on the Defence Forces in relation to the Defence Forces that the continuation of business as usual will leave Ireland unable to meet its desired level of military deployment overseas, weak on aid the civil power (ATCP) and aid to the civil authority (ATCA) capabilities and without a credible military capability to protect Ireland, its populace and its resources for any sustained period. [13273/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. 

The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference.  The report contains 69 main recommendations and together with sub recommendations, there are 130 recommendations.  The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service. 

The report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland.  Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion and agreement. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report. 

I will also be seeking the views of my Department and the Defence Forces.  The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan.I will also engage with key stakeholders and the Oireachtas, and I welcome the Dáil statement on the report which took place on the 16th February.  I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence capabilities that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion. Current events are highlighting the importance of such a debate.

The intent is that following relevant consultation, and before the summer recess, I will to revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

It would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion regarding the outcome of an ongoing deliberative process, prior to completion of that process and Government approval of any proposed plan of action. 

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions he intends to take to facilitate members of the Reserve Defence Forces to serve overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Heretofore, there was no provision in the Defence Acts to allow Reserve Defence Force (RDF) personnel to be deployed overseas. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Defence (Amendment) Act 2021 has now been signed into law, which serves to update the Defence Legislation on the use of the RDF on a voluntary basis, on-island and overseas in support of the Permanent Defence Force.  

The Report of the Independent Commission on the Defence Forces, published on 9 February 2022,  includes proposals on the role and contribution of the RDF.

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including the future role of the Reserve Defence Force.  There is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and stakeholders. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. 

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the need to ensure the Defence Forces have the capability to patrol Irish territorial waters and airspace in particular in view of recent events in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence 2015 set out the defence policy framework for a ten year period and sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service, including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV).  The MRV, is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.   

The White Paper, in addressing Air Corps capability, provided for the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235 fleets.  The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology.   A further Pilatus PC-12 was also procured arising from the demands of Covid.  A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s was signed with Airbus in 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.  These C295s are larger and more capable aircraft than those they replace and will enable the Air Corps to conduct maritime patrols and surveillance across Ireland's area of maritime interest, with enhanced capabilities.

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th February 2022.  The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service.  There is now a process underway to consider these recommendations.  The intent is to revert to  Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. 

The Deputy will note the strong emphasis by the EU on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the current situation in Ukraine.  Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position I have repeatedly reaffirmed at the UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings.  I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to work with our EU partners and at the UN to shape a collective response, and has supported the adoption of a package of sanctions on Russia, some of the hardest sanctions the EU has ever imposed.  

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on and response to the recommendation in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that an office of veteran affairs be established. [13339/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the completion of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and commend the Commission for its work.

The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including a recommendation in the chapter on Defence Forces structures, on the establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA).  There is a process underway to consider all recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt this deliberative process in advance of Government consideration. 

My Department formally recognises two veterans associations which represent all former personnel -Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA). My Department and I engage on an ongoing basis with these associations. 

A suite of services are provided by the Department of Defence to the associations. My Department has entered into service level agreements with both ONE and IUNVA, which provide for an annual grant to be paid to each to assist with their administrative overheads. As a further means of assistance, my Department has secured total funding of €500,000 under the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects. Almost €300,000 was spent in 2021 while the remainder will be used to fund further special projects in 2022.

On 3 October 2021, I officially opened ONE's new residential home which can accommodate 5 retired members of the Defence Forces, incorporating a new Veterans Support Centre in Cobh, Co. Cork. This building was refurbished with  funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund. IUNVA has used funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2021 to pay for the development of a new United Nations museum at its headquarters in Mount Temple Road, Dublin 7. Other funding was used to purchase IT equipment for IUNVA posts.

Furthermore, in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government, my Department continues to facilitate, where possible, the establishment of ONE Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) around the country. VSCs are available to all veterans to seek support and advice, not just to ONE members. On 29 November 2021, I officially opened the new building housing the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service and ONE's Veterans Support Centre at Campfield, Collins Barracks, Cork. This project was funded by my Department and replaced a temporary Veterans Support Centre in the Cork Barracks.

My Department and I continue to work closely with the recognised veterans associations. 

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on and response to the belief expressed by the Commission on the Defence Forces that representative bodies should be active participants in future public service pay bargaining processes. [13221/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, as well as a Government decision, in December 2020.

The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, and I welcomed its report on 9th February last. The Report is substantial, containing a wide range of recommendations and sub-recommendations, including touching on certain issues with regard to collective bargaining.

The report recommends significant changes to the Defence Forces and in how defence provision is managed in Ireland. Clearly these are matters that will require careful and detailed consideration, including in many aspects, inter-departmental discussion and agreement.

The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on matters that fall within the scope of representation relating to the implementation of any approved plan. I also intend to engage with other key stakeholders and the Oireachtas - this engagement includes my Dáil statement on 16th February last.  When these deliberations are completed, I intend to revert to Government with a proposed action plan.

It is anticipated that this process will take at least four to five months, in order to bring a considered and comprehensive proposal back to Government, one that will address the fundamental recommendations that the Commission has made. 

On the specific matter of public sector pay bargaining, national negotiations, on behalf of public servants, are conducted as part of collective pay bargaining talks.  

For the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the PDF representative associations were represented alongside other public sector trade unions and representative associations, at these negotiations which were held under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The process of negotiations for the most recent pay agreement, Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022 was unfortunately somewhat constrained by COVID 19.

The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force also provides a formal mechanism for the determination of claims and proposals from the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, relating to remuneration and conditions of service and having regard to the provisions of public sector pay agreements.

Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and collaborative process within the C&A Scheme to resolve issues. There is also ongoing engagement on a regular basis between the Official side and the Representative side on a range of items which are processed through C&A.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces and equipment available to same; if the current levels are deemed optimum; his plans to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps including equipment in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13457/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the strength of Naval Service will be brought up to date in line with international requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13763/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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259. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the concerns of the recent report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in relation to issues of morale and strength are expected to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13769/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are likely to have their strength and military equipment updated in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13770/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which the strength of operability of all branches of the Defence Forces are regularly monitored to ensure their readiness in the event of an emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13771/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that are in hand to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13772/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 253, 259, 260, 261 and 262 together.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by government, including overseas deployments.

The Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020 provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects which will be progressed over five years to ensure that the Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their roles both at home and overseas.

I can assure the Deputy that the manpower requirement of the Defence Forces continues to be monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services to ensure they maintain their operational capability.  As at 31st January 2022, the current strength of the Defence Forces is 8,467 comprised of 6,848 Army personnel, 750 Air Corps personnel, and 869 Naval Service personnel. 

The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining, the agreed strength of 9,500 and, in that context, a number of initiatives are being implemented to counter current staffing challenges that will play a role in restoring and retaining capacity. These include:

- Commitment schemes in the Air Corps and Naval Service

- A special tax credit for seagoing Naval Service personnel

- A re-entry scheme for former personnel

- Ongoing recruitment, including direct entry competitions

- The ongoing review of the scope, and terms and conditions, of direct entry competitions to improve intakes

- Significant progress on pay within the Defence Forces arising from the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations and increases from recent pay agreements

In addition, following consideration by a high-level civil military group, a range of recommendations on the regeneration of the Naval Service are also being progressed. 

Further, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included, inter alia, consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, staffing and morale. The commission’s report was published on 9 February 2022. The next stage in the process will involve careful consideration of the recommendations and inter-departmental consultation. Once all recommendations have been carefully considered and an approach discussed, I intend to bring a proposed response to the report’s recommendations and a high-level action plan to Government for consideration. It is envisaged that this process will take at least four to five months.